It started with a dream

It started with a dream: to be a rock & roll star...

Bianca Halstead wanted to be a rock & roll star. And when her friend Wag-of Jane's Addiction-offered to sell her a bass for $300, she went to her parents to borrow the money that would start a legacy like no other...

Almost immediately, when another friend named Blaire was looking for a bassist for her group Sin, Bianca joined the group. However, shortly thereafter they broke up. But, at least she had had the chance to experience life in a band.

In 1992, Bianca, now known as Bianca Butthole, started a group with her friend Sharon Needles. Together, with Tom Bone, Jerry Geronimo, and old friend Blaire (now Blare N. Bitch), they formed Butt Trumpet. Butt Trumpet recorded their first CD on July 31 and August 1, 1993. Primitive Enema was released on Chrysalis Records in 1994. The album was produced by Geza X. And despite the PMRC leading attacks on the band, the CD sold over 60,000 copies. Problems arose within the band, and Bianca was forced to take over the lead vocals. She was scared, but it would, ultimately, set her up to become the front woman she was meant to be. Butt Trumpet broke up. Sharon went to play in a band called Bobsled. Bianca played bass on tour with Humble Gods (now the Kottonmouth Kings), but she wasn't truly happy.

In 1999, Bianca and Sharon got back together to have another stab at the rock & roll dream. Sharon brought Judy (Molish) in for the drums from her former band Bobsled. Blare was called in again, and Betty Blowtorch was born.

Betty Blowtorch's first recorded effort is an EP called "Get Off". It is released on Foil Records (although the band never actually signed a contract with them) in 1999, and is produced by ex-Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagen. Soon afterwards, Betty Blowtorch won Best Punk/Hardcore Band at the LA Weekly Music Awards of 2000. Their next shot at rock stardom was their June 5, 2001 full-length issue called Are you Man Enough?, which was produced by Matt Hynde (Porno for Pyros/Monster Magnet). In the summer of 2001, Betty Blowtorch also appeared in the Disney-owned comedy film "Bubble Boy".

Betty Blowtorch hit the road with Nashville Pussy in early Nov 2001. Midway through the tour, Sharon and Judy quit the band, in the middle of the night, and took everything (equipment, wardrobes, etc) with them. The next day, when Bianca and Blare learned of the abandonment, they were devastated. Blare on the subject: "It was disbelief...I mean, those girls just basically said "fuck you" to me and Bianca, to the label, and to the fans. They didn't even finish the tour." And what could have turned into a disaster, only encouraged Bianca and Blare to fight that much more. They called in their friend Jennifer Finch (formerly of L7) to play rhythm guitar, and asked Nashville Pussy tech Dave Gara to play drums. They worked hard-in the van, hotels, etc-to get the songs down. They played shakily at first, but they improved along the way. Things were going head strong...until one fateful night in December.

The Howling Wolf in New Orleans, LA, on December 15, 2001, was the last place Betty Blowtorch would ever play. That night, after hanging out with fans and friends, Bianca went to El Matador, and then to Molly's, where she would accept a ride that would change so many lives forever. Brian McAllister had been a fan for a while, and had been to a few Betty shows. That night, he offered Bianca a ride back to the hotel. He was intoxicated. On the way to the hotel, at speeds of 100 m.p.h.+, McAllister lost control of his Corvette, hit and jumped over the median. He hit an oncoming car, and ended up smashing into a guard rail which would take Bianca's life that early December 16th morning. Bianca's death put an abrupt end to Betty Blowtorch the band, but not the legacy...

Fans, friends, and family everywhere around the world still hold Bianca in their hearts. Her efforts, borne from the simplistic dream to be a rock star, have helped reshape the face of rock & roll forever. Everyone is still reeling from her death. The tributes continue in various styles-shows, tattoos, letters, posts, etc... proving that people are not ready to let Bianca ever truly die.

Sharon, Judy, and Blare have each been in several bands since the break up of Betty Blowtorch.

Jennifer Finch is working with her new band The Shocker.

Dave Gara is currently Skid Row.

Blare N. Bitch is kicking her way into the scene to regain what was once hers, and carrying on Bianca's dream. Her newest endeavor is cleverly called the Blare Bitch Project. Formed in mid 2002, they have been playing local California clubs. She, and fellow band mates Leah, Punky, and Becky (formerly of Lunachicks) opened the new year of 2003 at the Whisky, with Nashville Pussy.

-by Lyndai